Thou shalt not flub thy photo op, Sen. Kerry (Caught taking "communion" in Protestant Church)

Boston Herald ^ | Wednesday, April 7, 2004 | David R. Guarino

[presidio9]

Photo ops are the saving grace of many political campaigns, but Bay State Sen. John F. Kerry [related, bio] gaffed one recent opportunity - flouting Catholic doctrine by taking communion at a non-Catholic church.

The Democratic presidential candidate invited the press to services at the AME Charles Street Church in Roxbury Sunday. But the photos showed Kerry taking communion.

That, Catholics say, is a catechism no-no.

``Catholics should not receive communion in a Protestant church,'' said Sister Mary Ann Walsh of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. ``It's standard church teaching.''

Deal Hudson, publisher of the conservative Crisis Magazine, said, ``Kerry's attempts to woo the Catholic voter with such photo ops will ultimately turn off Catholics who value sincerity and honesty above superficial and vacuous symbolism.''

Kerry spokesman Michael Meehan said Kerry was merely participating in an ``ecumenical'' Christian service. ``He came at the invitation of the pastor, who invited all Christians to celebrate,'' Meehan said. ``Sen. Kerry is a Christian. He celebrated.''

Stephen Pope, a Boston College theology professor, said, ``As a matter of church law, Kerry broke the law of the church,'' but added that Kerry was in a ``no-win situation'' since taking or refusing communion would have offended someone.

[Straight Vermonter]

Correct.

[PresbyRev]

Calling the celebration of the Eucharist in a Protestant Church a 'mockery of communion' is offensive. Akin to a Protestant labeling the Celebration of the Mass idolatry and the veneration of a Jesus cookie.

More to the point, why is Mr. Kerry not fenced from the table (altar) in any Roman Catholic Church? It doesn't seem there are any sanctions forthcoming from any source of authority in the RCC.

One can criticize Kerry's manipulation of religion without attacking Protestants.

[lugsoul]

"Apostolic succession preserves the supernatural composition of RC sacraments."

And you have the stones to call someone else's comment "silly"?

Sounds like you could use a little historical instruction on your own church. Or is this somewhat imprecise "succession" one of those issues where the RCC performs contortions to work around difficult questions.

My point is simple - apparently too simple for the dogma-bound RCC. According to certain tenets of the Church, a believer in Christ who attends a church on the Sabbath and wants to open his/her heart and worship Christ according to the sacrament taught by Jesus is committing a "serious sin" by doing so - IF the Church happens to be one not designated as the "right" Church by a worldly authority.

Of course, this is the same Church that sold salvation in the form of trinkets passed off as sacred relics, but I guess it is still "inerrant", huh? Of course, if all those really WERE pieces of the true cross, the Cross must've been about 1500 ft. tall.

[PresbyRev]

Using the Westminster Standards and other Reformed confessional symbols, Presbyterians and Continental Reformed churches do not hold to the Zwinglian Memorial View of the Lord's Supper.

Most Presbyterians affirm a via media - that the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is a true means of grace, a sacrament and that Christ is spiritually and truly present in the Eucharist.

We may not affirm that the accidents of bread and wine are transubstantiated, but a 'real presence' of Christ is affirmed by many in the Reformed tradition.

[Straight Vermonter]

It doesn't seem there are any sanctions forthcoming from any source of authority in the RCC.

Actually there are several threads here about bishops who have said they would not give communion to Kerry. And yes all Freepers need to be a little more gentle when dealing with inter-faith issues. I have frequently asked protestants on Cathoilic bashing threads to go easy and I will ask my Catholic friend now to restrain themselves.

[AnAmericanMother]

It is NOT a Catholic custom to wear a Rosary as a necklace.

Not only that - as I noted on another thread - your average garden variey rosary won't FIT around the neck of anyone but a small child. Maybe if he had one of those huge rosaries worn at the cincture by religious . . . but somehow I don't see JF'nK as a religious, if you know what I mean . . . :-(

[Rutles4Ever]

There is a very public debate going on right now that stretches to the Vatican regarding John Kerry and his suitability to receive Communion. The way it's shaking out, there will be few (if any) Catholic bishops (or priests) who will publicly be giving John Kerry communion anytime soon unless he receives Penance and disassociates himself from the pro-abortion forces. Kerry stands a very real chance of being excommunicated, and municipal Catholic mayors who sanction gay marriage are quickly headed down the same path.

That said, isn't God ironic?

God: John, you have to choose between My power and your power.

John Kerry: Um... .... .... ... hmmm. ... ... I really need the limousine...

[aruanan]

When taking communion in an AME church, does the Senator believe the body and blood of Christ to be truly present

No, when he's in an AME church, he believes what they believe, though I doubt that many of them could explain the difference between con and transubstantiation. Actually, though, I don't think he believes what any of them believe. I think he's a complete cynic.

[AnAmericanMother]

I have attended an Episcopal communion service before. As is tradition, not being a member of said church, I crossed my arms in front of me to indicate that I would not be taking communion. They knew exactly what I was doing and nobody was offended. Sometimes it's not that difficult to do the right thing, Mr. Kerry.

Exactly what I did while I was still an Episcopalian and not authorized to receive in the Catholic church. Now, when I visit my parents' church, I'll simply cross my arms there instead of in my new Catholic parish.

Kerry is a hypocrite.

[presidio9]

Only if you think one is bound to accept the dogma of one's church without exception.

I suppose Kerry could call himself a Martian if he liked. It's a free country, so yes, in that sense, he can call himself a Catholic if he likes, but if he does not respect the teaching on Communion, he is not a Catholic. And before you start asking me about birth control or other issues, you need to understand that Transubstantiation is a central premise to Catholicism. It is THE major difference between Catholicism and Episcopalianism. If Kerry wants to reject this "dogma" as you refer to it, it is fine for him to continue to consider himself a Christian, but he should stop calling himself a Catholic.

[PresbyRev]

For what it is worth, I quite agree with you.

At tonight's Maundy Thursday service, including the Celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion, I will in the Invitation to the table, remind the congregants of Jesus' practice of open hospitality and an open table.

In the invitation, I typically affirm that Christ is spiritually and genuinely present in the sacrament and that the table is neither a Catholic or Protestant, a conservative nor liberal, neither a Presbyterian table, but the Lord's table and all baptized Christians and their covenant children are bid welcome.

It is a tragedy that the table of radical hospitality and unity is such a source of division for Christ's body.

[ThanhPhero]

It is NOT a Catholic custom to wear a Rosary as a necklace.

It is a custom of Vietnamese Catholic women on Sunday or any other time they go to Mass. The older ladies do not carry purses and have no pockets in the ao dai they wear to mass.

[PresbyRev]

More power to that process.

We should be about the same business in the Protestant churches as well.

[lugsoul]

A tragedy indeed. Your example is one that should be emulated by all who send out the call to worship.

[lugsoul]

Well, presidio, I'm guessing that what he or anyone else chooses to profess as their religion - or what one is required to believe in order to make that profession - is not up to you.

[k2blader]

"What protestant "church" would let someone inside who supports partial birth abortion?"

Only a handful, sadly, would not.

At how many church entrances have you stood asking people if they support partial birth abortion and denying them access if they do?

Ludicrous questions beget ludicrous answers.

[Rutles4Ever]

Why is it offensive? Can I come into your church swinging rosary beads? -- Oh -- wait, that's not Christian.

[TrueBeliever9]

In the invitation, I typically affirm that Christ is spiritually and genuinely present in the sacrament and that the table is neither a Catholic or Protestant, a conservative nor liberal, neither a Presbyterian table, but the Lord's table and all baptized Christians and their covenant children are bid welcome. It is a tragedy that the table of radical hospitality and unity is such a source of division for Christ's body.

HalleluJAH! A man in whom there is no guile!

[coder2]

Is it just me, but doesn't Ter-a-zah look a little stoned ?

High on meds maybe ???

[Beckwith]

Remember, John Kerry was educated at Anglican schools. He attended Fessenden for grammar school and St. Marks (or St. Paul's or whatever) for high school and then went off to Yale.

His parents weren't really Catholic

He has never had a Roman Catholic education.

John Kerry is a Catholic in front of Catholics.

John Kerry is a Protestant in front of Protestants.

John Kerry is a warior in front of veterans.

John Kerry is a peacenik in front of liberals.

John Kerry is a champion of the working man in front of unions.

etc., etc., etc.

John Kerry is whatever the audience in front of him wants him to be.